The funny thing about the wilderness is that when God calls you away to it we so often start off kicking and screaming and complaining about the things that have been taken away. The seclusion and the isolation. The soft things of comfort removed. But then after some time and if we choose to let go He leads us and shows us the purpose of the wilderness... Training, refinement, focus, relationship, trust, faith, the exposure of weakness. With all the distractions of life removed and in that unique type of surrender we see ourselves for what we are... 

Deficient. A puzzle in need of the lost pieces. It's so often in the wilderness that we truly find God and He does His best work. Work that can't be done in the hectic bustle of life. So whatever your wilderness is... Don't fear it. Because God is there in the wilderness. And when His training is complete you'll come out of the wilderness very different indeed. Trust in Him, He uses the wildernesses in our lives powerfully for His Kingdom if we take His hand and follow His paths.  

Hey, God put this on my heart to share with you guys firstly because I genuinely care about each one of you that reads this and your Father in Heaven cares for you so, so much more. This comes from a broken and heavy heart at the state of what is called "The Church" of today. I've been a church goer since I was very young and have seen some good things and also some very, very bad things happen in the church and in done in the Name of God. I'm not here today to sling mud at anyone or to judge - but more to give a warning as a brother who cares for you. We live in dangerous times, far more dangerous than many realise.


Many of the things that Jesus said would happen in the end times are now coming into place. For those whose eyes are not opened it may seem like things are just progressing along as they always were but sadly that's not the case. We live in an age where people who call themselves Christians can justify just about anything from outright adultery and hatred in the Name of God while abusing the concept of God's grace as an excuse to harm others and gain for themselves and their own selfish agendas of fame and riches. I know this probably isn't sounding very positive but stick with me to the end ok? It seems the whole world is looking for another man to follow, someone to lead them like little lost sheep but the truth is we were already given a man to lead us - His Name is JESUS. Jesus is enough.


We don't need another 30 something year old figurehead leader of religion to lead the masses to God - Jesus already was that. We don't need to be part of some thronging mindless crowed mass singing programmed repetitious songs over and over to get closer to God. Riches and fame are not a measure of the presence of and a relationship with God. Jesus said himself "where two or three are gathered... There I am in the middle". Think about that for a minute. Two or three. Why did Jesus say that I wonder... Was it because often those who truly follow God aren't in the big crowds but are instead somewhere quiet, somewhere small, somewhere humble... Just seeking God and wanting to honour Him and not themselves?


What God's led me to say is this... "test all things". Don't just swallow and believe everything you're fed. Just because there's a crowd there don't think that it's trustworthy. Just because you're friends say its all ok - doesn't mean it is. Just because your family always did it - doesn't mean it is either. Test things. Use your brain and pray and ask God for wisdom because not everything you read, see and experience is what it is on the surface. James 1:5 says "If anyone needs wisdom, ask of God and He will generously give it to you".  The greatest deceptions in mankind are the ones that are hidden in plain sight among the crowds of followers. You've heard the saying "A crowd draws a crowd..." Keep that in mind. Why are you doing what you're doing? Do you really know? Are you desperately trying to be part of what's going on but you don't really know what's going on? Be careful. Hype is a very powerful manipulating force.


Some simple wisdom that God gave me is this.. "look for the money trail..." The Bible says that "The love of money is the root of all evil". What that means is that where the love of money is, then there will naturally be money flowing from there. And if its the root of all evil that means that there's going to be a whole lot of really bad stuff that you really don't wanna be a part of there - even if you can't see it yet. My brothers and sisters, look at Jesus and see what He was. People said to Him "We'll follow you anywhere Jesus!" and His reply was "Foxes have holes and birds have nests but I don't even have a house or a bed - will you still follow me?" Keep that picture of Jesus in mind when you see religious leaders standing up in front of you collecting your tithes and offerings and building bigger and bigger temples of ambition and greed justifying it all in God's Name.


Keep in mind Jesus didn't even have a house and the "church" they met in was a borrowed room when you look at the exalted leaders whose lives flow with lavish excess. I'm not here to attack anyone or name names - I just implore you to open your eyes and your ears and see what's really going on. What's happening right now in the world is a precursor for what's to come. Save yourself the pain and seek God instead of mans ways. There will come a world leader soon that will gather a crowd like never before and show signs and wonders never seen here on earth. This leader is most certainly not from God even if He claims to be. Be careful, the crowd is often wrong in who they follow. Jesus said to the woman at the well... "You worship God at this mountain that you call sacred, the Jews worship at the temple in Jerusalem.. but there is coming a time when the Father seeks those who worship Him in Spirit and in Truth".


I'm here today to tell you that time is coming. Don't just buy into everything that's put in front of you. Just because someone has one million views on YouTube doesn't mean they are speaking the truth. Just because someone has authored 30 books, doesn't mean you can trust their every word. Test everything. Hey, don't even take everything I say as gospel. I'm certainly not beyond fault and I'm a human that sins and falls just like you. We have to test things against something that is infallible. Something immovable. Something that's perfect and complete. The great news is we've been given exactly that. It's called the Bible. If you don't read your Bible, now's a great time to start. If reading isn't your thing - give an audio Bible a try (http://www.bible.is). Test what's being said against the character of God, test the teaching by comparing it to Jesus teaching in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Test whether what's being said and done goes contrary to the examples in the Bible.


I've seen truly horrible atrocities done in the Name of God while crowds and crowds of people flocked week after week giving thousands of dollars to aid in it's growth. Why do people do this? Because they are lost sheep. Aimless souls looking for someone to lead them. Someone to guide them by the nose by giving them sweet words and the promise of exactly what they seek... money, fame and fortune. The truth is much worse though... They're actually cattle being milked of all their worth and led through the gates of a meat factory. Wake up and see what's going on my brothers and sisters because you're worth so much more than that. You're not just a face in a crowd. You were created unique with a specific skill set to be used for a deigned purpose by your Creator. You are not a number. You are not a database entry. You are known and loved by God and He has amazing plans for you.


Can I encourage you lastly with this simple thought... What if there are no "special" people that God speaks to...? What if each one of us are equally special and all have the ability to speak to God and hear from Him? What if that was His plan all along...? What if He doesn't want you to be ruled and influenced by some exalted leader but instead wants to have a powerful, fulfilling, intimate and trustworthy relationship with you. The Bible says "In the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh...". No distinction on age, family heritage, qualifications, experience or anything by which we measure ourselves. God is no respecter of persons and as such neither should we be. God looks on the heart and so should we. Test the fruit that comes from people... not just their words or the fact that there's a crowd there. I write this because I care about you. God loves you and you're worth more than being deceived and hurt.

[ Matthew 7:13- "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. ] 

Thankyou Father for my family. Thankyou for my job. Thankyou for my health. Thankyou for the sunshine. Thankyou for my freedom because of you. Thankyou for the food you provide. Thankyou for skateboarding. Thankyou for loving me. Thankyou that you always listen and care. Thankyou Jesus for dying and rising again to save me. Thankyou for finding me - a poor lost and broken little boy - for waking me up and showing me your path for me. Thankyou for my home in Heaven. Thankyou for all the awesome things you do but even more than that - Thankyou God for just how awesome you really are. Without you I truly can't do anything... But with you I can do all things. Thankyou for the gift called life. You are the Life Explosion in me.  

I don't normally answer the taunts of my enemy but today I do... The last time you tried to kill my My King and you and your vile horde paraded and danced around His cross chanting your evil misguided cries of so called victory - the very sky created by Him went black in disgust, the earth itself cried out in pain and writhed at the sheer madness of its origin being unjustly murdered before it. Then... In such fury and power My King decended to the darkness in an indescribable blaze of light and plundered the very bowels of Hell itself, depositing my sins there and snatching back the keys to Death and Hades from you. His love and power then led a train of your prisoners out of the gloomy mist now under His rightful command. You were defeated once - yet you keep coming back for more. You afflict, steal, kill and destroy but I've read of your end. It all happens so suddenly. He speaks in thunderous unmatched authority and you and all your mighty armies of evil cease. The armies of light triumph under the strong arm of the one whose eyes burn like twin suns and on His thigh the Name "King of Kings and Lord of Lords". My King wins. His Name is JESUS! 

Hey you, you're so much more than how you feel right now. Don't let your feelings dictate your identity today. It doesn't mean what you feel isn't real and doesn't hurt - but what's more important and far more powerful than your feelings is The Truth. Here's how powerful the Truth is... Even if you don't feel it or believe it....The Truth remains the Truth. It's immovable, immutable and invincible. And the Truth is this - You are loved by God. You are worth far more than you know. Far more than what's happening around you and far more than how you feel. You have such immense untapped potential far more than you could possibly ever dream or imagine. Rise above how you feel and take hold of the Truth with both hands. God loves you.  

I come across a lot of different people in my life. Life's like that, it's one big adventure with so many variables at play. I do my absolute best not to judge people because the truth is none of us are called to do that - were called to show love and help each other. What I do try to do is understand people and why they do the things they do. Once you have that understanding you can better respond to peoples actions, words and emotions towards you. Without God's help though this is virtually impossible so we need to have that divine insight to be able to discern what's really going on behind just the physical representation people give out. God can help you to do this, it's a gift He gives to those who seek Him. A very useful gift indeed. So I'd put it simply like this - were called to be discerning - but not called to judge. The difference is simple. To discern is to observe, evaluate and then choose the best course of actions based on the information gleaned from the situation. This may lead you to ignore, avoid or respond in a completely opposite way to what happened to you. To judge on the other hand is to decide upon someones guilt and then to enforce the required retribution for their deeds. For us to judge others accurately and justly is impossible for one very simple reason - we don't have the authority over others to do so. We are all simply little children in the eyes of God. All on the same level. God sees past all our possessions and accomplishments and sees our naked hearts without any respect of our assumed position. We are all just sinners that need His love and mercy to just get by even a day in life. The only one that can judge purely and in justice has to be the origin of all things - The Creator. His Name is JESUS. So if you get that urge to judge others and dish out what you feel they deserve for their actions - stop and think for a moment who might be motivating you to do that... Jesus wants us to love and help each other but we also have an enemy the devil that is always trying to start drama, fighting and incite hatred between us as humans. The choice is ours as to who we will listen to... Will it be the quiet, unwavering, love-guiding voice of God - or will it be the selfish, hate-fueled impulses of our enemy? Choose wisely. God loves you. 

[ James 3:9&10 - "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be." ]

Hey, so I know a lot of you that follow me on here are probably Christians. I'm hoping you've come from a great home with parents and family that love you openly. Be very thankful because there are many that don't come from homes like that. Just two days ago I heard a tragic story of a client of mine who's family I know that was married with two kids who lost his mind and took the life of his toddler child then attempted to take his own life. He's now serving a sentence in prison. Just yesterday I heard of another guy who I went to school with that grew up in a Christian home and has a 4 year old kid and a wife that's pregnant with their second child. He's decided that he's had enough of his marriage and had an affair and has just walked out on his family. Theres now two families hurting very badly because of the brokenness and corruption in this world. For those of you who've followed me for any amount of time you've probably already realized I'm not your average guy that talks about God. I don't consider myself righteous or anything special at all. I'm just a guy that found God's love and it set me free.


I've seen darkness more than most will ever in their lifetime. Things so evil I can't and am not allowed by God to repeat. I've suffered the pain of a broken home and the hatred of many for most of my life. What I'm here today you tell you is this... There is a answer for your pain. You may have been presented a Jesus that's a light blue one piece garment wearing soft spoken kind eyed pacifist. The truth is He did come as that once, a servant that died for us. But that's just small part of His immeasurably diverse identity. Who I'm here today to present to you is the Jesus I met that set me free from my pain. The conquering King. The consuming fire. The Beginning and the End. He is the answer for your pain. He is the open hand to your clenched fist. He isn't afraid of your anger, your shame or that dark cloud of pain that sits in your heart day after day. The truth is this... He says "Come...bring to me all that hurts you... All that makes you heavy... And see the power I hold to change you..." This is why He's called The Consuming Fire. He absorbs darkness, pain, suffering and death. Here's the last bit... You might be thinking "But what I've done is too much, I could never be redeemed from what Ive done..." Can I just put this challenge to you? What if you're wrong...? What if He holds the absolute power to change the very blackest of night into the midday sun? I have confidence in Him so much to say that whoever reads this and no matter how many of you read this... He is your answer. How do I know that? Because I was that darkness until Jesus found me. So when you're done carrying that pain, drop it at the feet of the painkiller. See what My God can truly do. God loves you. You're Worth More.  

This worlds like a trampoline. Just so up and so down with no true equilibrium. Then there I am in the middle, lost in your love. Floating effortlessly in your grace. Upheld by your peace in defiance to the systems and pull of this world. Bathed in the living armour of God, a pure white fire activated only by your voice. A weapon in waiting forged for the battle of freedom. They stare, mock and fear me just like they did to my Master. They hide from me and exclude me like they did to the lepers of my Lords day. Even those who call me brother - plan my demise behind me. But I cannot hate them, they only fear what they don't know or understand. For I am no longer of this world, I am no longer a child of darkness. I am born of the Spirit of God and such I walk in the hidden paths of wisdom by His voice. My heart aches to see more of my kind... More lights in the darkness...More hope to the hopeless...More Children of The Kingdom of God... The Army of Light spoken of by the Prophets of God.  

Stand strong. Don't bow to anything but the King. Don't listen to or follow anything but His voice. Wait for His commands. If He issues no new command, then continue with His last command for you until He says otherwise.


Good soldiers don't live by emotion, they aren't motivated by the pay or a reward, they don't fight for themselves and they don't seek recognition.


They fight for a higher cause than themselves. A Kingdom that's not of this world and not built by mankind.


You are not alone. Your brothers and sisters are scattered across this world stationed in their outposts just like you. They look like normal people. Men and women, young and old, boys and girls. Despite their humble appearance - they represent the very Kingdom of God.


Your Commander will return one day in full power and glory with justice and peace along with the most majestic angel army ever seen. Redemption is coming...


So stand. For the King. For His Kingdom. And for love...


STAND SOLDIERS BORN OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD!


2 Timothy 2:3 - (NLT) Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 

The longer I live in this world... All the pain, suffering, corruption, greed and selfishness just breaks my heart. The systems of this world are broken, you only have to take one look at politics, economics and even humanity as a whole to see that we as humans are dying. Only 50 years ago it was commonplace for children to be enrolled in etiquette classes to teach them how to interact politely with other people - these days most kids don't even know what the word etiquette even means. I go to a skatepark in my own city and say "Hi" to a couple of the locals only to be greeted with a threatening glare or to be completely ignored. Sadly, kindness and selflessness seem to be such rare commodities these days. People who do help others seem to make a huge point of making sure their actions are noticed by others and that their own personal kingdom advances here on earth. It was never meant to be like this...

It's very easy to get down about it all - to think what's the point anymore? It's so easy to become weighed down by all the sadness, misery and hopelessness that's all around us. Apathy is right there at the door giving you every reason to just sit back, ignore the problems and make your own life as comfortable as possible while others suffer in silence. I prayed to God about this and asked Him to help me see things His way. In God's amazing way He did something quite extraordinary. He changed my heart from the inside out.

What He did was shift my focus from the problems to the solution. It's difficult to explain it in detail but in essence He gave me a gift. It's the gift of seeing others pain, others greed, others injustices, others crimes, others hopelessness and others hatred - and using it as motivation to be even more and more of light to the darkness. He made it that all this swirling darkness around me became the catalyst for the light. Fuel for the fire that warms this world.

He changed me so that the more hopelessness I see, it prompts me more and more to be that hope that this world badly needs. The more hated I become the more it fuels my heart out of selfless love for others. All the unjust greed and excess I see moves me more and more to speak up about the Truth and to give selflessly to others seeking no reward or compensation for my actions.

I'll say this plainly - the world doesn't need another new best seller book, another new world religion, another popular well known leader or anything like that for things to change for the better. All it needs is for each one of us to listen to and obey the voice of The Creator when He told us to be kind to one another. Consider one another. Forgive one another. Give to one another. Normal people doing amazing world changing things.

I'll save you the trouble if you're looking for a new way to find peace in this life - it's not new. It's very, very old - in fact... It's timeless. It's called LOVE. And His Name is Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life this world so badly needs.

Be kind. This world needs it. God loves you.